Pelvic inflammatory disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of your uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries. If it's not treated right away, PID can cause scars in the fallopian tubes. This can make it harder to get pregnant. It can also cause other long-term problems, like pelvic pain or tubal (ectopic) pregnancy.

The most common symptom of PID is pain in the lower belly. The pain is often described as cramping or a dull and constant ache. It may be worse during vaginal sex, during bowel movements, or when you urinate.

You could also have:

• A fever.
• Abnormal vaginal discharge. You may have more discharge than usual or discharge that is yellow, brown, or green.
• Vaginal bleeding after sex.
• Irregular menstrual bleeding.

You may notice symptoms more during your period or the week after your period.

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and do a physical exam. You may have tests for common causes of PID. Your blood and vaginal discharge may be tested to look for signs of infection. You may also have an ultrasound to look for other possible causes of your symptoms.

Your doctor will prescribe antibiotic pills to treat PID. Take them as directed. If you don't take all of the medicine, the infection may come back. See your doctor for follow-up to make sure that the treatment is working.

Your sex partner or partners will also need to be treated to avoid spreading the infection. It's important to avoid sex until you and any sex partners have finished the medicine.

If PID is severe, if you're pregnant, or if you don't get better by taking antibiotics at home, you may need to be treated in the hospital and get antibiotics through a vein (intravenous). In rare cases, surgery is needed to drain a pocket of infection, or abscess.